17 years as chimney sweep, just had my first fall

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:14 am

Wow, that's something my Jewish friends never told me about

Glad I was born in Korea!

Post by **rdsmith3** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:17 am

Hmmm, I learned something new today. Not sure I wanted to know that, but I learned something, nevertheless.

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:28 am

Well, you gotta figure that whoever becomes a mohel certainly is a man committed to his faith!

Career counselor: "You have two choices Mr. Lee. You can be a mohel or join the Marines and go fight insurgents in Iraq."

Me: "Er, uh. Let me think about that!"

Post by **iowabeakster** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:18 pm

Gary,

Very late but very sincere wishes that things are getting better for you, your family, and business.

My brother hit a ramp on his BMX bike and did a face plant, breaking his collar bone. It is a strange bone, not a lot you can do for it but wait.

I thought you were kidding about being stuck in chimneys. I recently heard that there are national laws requiring annual chimney sweeping in Germany. Ever thought of going international?

Hang in there,
Best wishes

Post by **scottybooj** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:25 am

wow, what a hijack to the thread!

FWIW, i have no memories of my circumcision. so i can neither confirm nor deny the allegations set forth by this committee.

Post by **garylspolar** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:53 pm

Update:

The healing process has seemed odd to me, as the "bump" in my collar bone seemed more like one bone was growing higher than the other. I was right, one bone is growing over top the other. I called the doctor two weeks into this mess and told him that, he said to keep our appointment that was at the 30 day mark (yesterday), and we'd look at it then. He said that it is normal for one bone to grow a bit higher than the other.

At my appt. yesterday, he took xrays, and confirmed that this was a bad break. He said, "This is about as bad as they get." I'm paraphrasing, he may have said that this is as bad as they get without needing surgery. He then said, "Many doctors would want to operate on this. Not many doctors in Cleveland, however, and nobody that I've studied under. We should just let this continue to heal."

So, what do you think? Second opinion in order? There seems to be a half inch or so in overlap, but he says that our next appointment in 30 days should show that the space between the two bones in more filled in with new bone. He recommends no surgery at this time, and points out that we can do it later if needed. He says that the surgery can't be taken back, so here we are again at the 'wait and see' mark. Another 30 days, and then what? Who knows... Anybody here have the surgery? How long did it take to recover? I have to make the decision soon, as my slowest months are March and April. Next appointment is at the end of February. I want to be healed before my kid starts walking, this is enough of a burden on my wife.

After 4 weeks I am allowed to walk around without the sling, he says to just take it easy. He told me that I should be ok to lift and work with ladders in another two weeks. He says my body will tell me if I'm doing anything extreme. I asked him about therapy, and he says, "Oh, yes, we have therapy. Let me know if you need it, if your shoulder stays stiff." I'm already lifting my arm a bit above my head, doesn't hurt much, just a little stiff yet, and muscles a bit sore.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:13 am

I would definitely get a second opinion. It would definitely concern me when he said "Well, nobody in Cleveland ..." First, the appropriate treatment should not depend on where you live. Is he saying you would get a different answer in Pittsburgh or Cincinnati? What about Chicago or New York? Why should the answer depend on where you live?

Second, isn't the Cleveland Clinic supposed to be one of the best hospitals in the country?

You don't want to be in a lot of pain 25 years from now, regretting that you did not get a second opinion. You don't want your ability to earn money jeopardized, or your ability to ride.

Post by **garylspolar** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:21 pm

Appointment made. I'll get the second opinion next Wednesday. Thanks for the input again, all. Looks like I might get a much needed vacation, sitting in front of my wood stove with some percoset again.

Post by **iowabeakster** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:15 pm

That comment ,"Nobody in Cleaveland" is strange. I am not sure what he meant by that. A second opinion is never a bad idea.

But surgery could possibly be the worst option for you. Think: Big Money, Lost Time, Added Pain, with no substantial long term benefit.

Until they are able to tell if the "wait and take it easy" approach is going to cause (worse than surgery) problems down the line, no doctor, in good conscience, can consider a surgery that may bring no benefit.

You are a living COST/BENEFIT analysis.
Isn't "trial-and-error" medicine fun?

Take care

ps. remember that if the two opinions differ, then it's time for a third.

Post by **sjbmw** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:36 pm

I have a knot in my collarbone as the break was perpendicular and the bones had to "reach out for each other" when healing. The Xrays from week to week were eerie as one end started doing a left hook to reach for the other end.

Took about 3 months until the bone got really solid, and my shoulder still sounds crunchy when I do a windmill with my right arm. I had 7 snapped ribs and a pulverized lung to add to the mess.

All you really have control of is the exercises the physical therapist recommends. Doing them is supposed to give the collar bone enough movement to reset itself. I don't think I did mine enough.

Post by **garylspolar** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 2:42 pm

Collar bone is getting better, but I've been in bed yesterday and today with excruciating pain (only when I move, try to sit/stand up) in my lower back. Pinched nerve? Bulging disc? Muscle? I'll see a doctor tomorrow, Monday, for help. I may need to call an ambulance to get me there, as I cannot stand. I'm peeing into a large bottle by the side of my bed, not eating solid food so I can maybe avoid having to go number two. What a way to spend my birthday.... Tomorrow morning will be 48 hours, I hope I can walk by then.

I really enjoyed my one ride on my hot R1150RA that I recently purchased. Now I'll say goodbye to it, as I want to have some more money available if I need it. Please tell your friends, relatives, etc. It's in the buy/sell section here, and I'm in the Cleveland OH area. Thanks, and sorry to be such a downer.

Post by **iowabeakster** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 2:44 pm

say it isn't so.

Post by **wncbmw** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 4:09 pm

gary - I am really sorry to hear about your troubles. Hang in there. Sorry about the bike having to go too. You've got to do what you have to but when you heal up and start back working, there will be other bikes available for you!

Post by **rdsmith3** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:32 am

garylspolar wrote:Collar bone is getting better, but I've been in bed yesterday and today with excruciating pain (only when I move, try to sit/stand up) in my lower back. Pinched nerve? Bulging disc? Muscle? I'll see a doctor tomorrow, Monday, for help. I may need to call an ambulance to get me there, as I cannot stand. I'm peeing into a large bottle by the side of my bed, not eating solid food so I can maybe avoid having to go number two. What a way to spend my birthday.... Tomorrow morning will be 48 hours, I hope I can walk by then.

I really enjoyed my one ride on my hot R1150RA that I recently purchased. Now I'll say goodbye to it, as I want to have some more money available if I need it. Please tell your friends, relatives, etc. It's in the buy/sell section here, and I'm in the Cleveland OH area. Thanks, and sorry to be such a downer.

Get well, Gary. Sorry to hear about your pains -- back and financial.

Oh, and happy birthday.